Story perspectives

Medicare Telepsychiatry Boosts ADHD Stimulant Prescriptions, Costs Climb

7/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

Medicare-reimbursed telepsychiatry, made permanent in January 2022, now focuses on video ADHD stimulant prescriptions.
ADHD-linked psychiatric consultations rose from 4.3% to 11.8% by 2022.
One in four video psychiatry visits generated a stimulant prescription, while other conditions changed little.
Video ADHD appointments cost patients more out-of-pocket than comparable face-to-face visits.
Almost half of psychiatrists work in Australia’s wealthiest postcodes, concentrating services in affluent cities.

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Story summary

Medicare-reimbursed telepsychiatry, made permanent in January 2022, now focuses on video ADHD stimulant prescriptions.
ADHD-linked psychiatric consultations rose from 4.3% to 11.8% by 2022.
One in four video psychiatry visits generated a stimulant prescription, while other conditions changed little.
Video ADHD appointments cost patients more out-of-pocket than comparable face-to-face visits.
Almost half of psychiatrists work in Australia’s wealthiest postcodes, concentrating services in affluent cities.